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India's potato production has surged to 601.75 lakh tonnes for the 2024-25 season, marking an increase of 31.21 lakh tonnes from the previous year. This growth is part of a broader rise in horticulture crop output, which is estimated to have grown by 3.66% to 3,677.24 lakh tonnes, driven by higher yields of fruits and vegetables. The area under cultivation expanded to 292.67 lakh hectares, up from 290.86 lakh hectares in 2023-24. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attributed this increase to the dedication of farmers, agricultural scientists, and government initiatives. Notably, fruit production rose by 1.36% to 1,145.10 lakh tonnes, while vegetable output saw a 6% increase to 2,196.74 lakh tonnes. However, tomato production declined to 207.52 lakh tonnes from 213.23 lakh tonnes, and spice output slightly decreased to 123.70 lakh tonnes. 
Published: Jun 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inChina is set to relax its ban on urea exports, a decision that could help stabilize international prices affected by recent tensions in the Middle East. Starting this month, Chinese companies will face quotas and minimum price requirements for shipments, although exports to India will remain restricted. Urea, a vital nitrogen fertilizer for global food production, saw prices surge over 15% last week due to production cuts in the Middle East, exacerbated by reduced natural gas supplies from Israel. Analysts suggest that the easing of export controls is aimed at balancing domestic supply and farmer affordability, as local prices have stabilized. India, a significant urea importer, has been striving for self-sufficiency amid strained relations with China since 2020. Following the announcement, shares of global fertilizer exporter Yara International fell by 3%, reflecting market concerns over the implications of China's policy shift.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Food Corporation of India (FCI) has made a historic allocation of 5.2 million metric tons of rice for ethanol production, representing nearly 9% of global rice shipments for the 2024/25 marketing year. This decision comes as India grapples with record rice inventories, which are expected to increase with the upcoming harvest, reversing previous shortages that led to export restrictions. The shift to using rice for ethanol is part of India's strategy to maintain its ambitious ethanol blending target of 20% by 2025/26, especially after a decline in sugar cane supplies due to drought. With current rice reserves at 59.5 million metric tons, far exceeding the government's target, experts predict that more rice will be diverted to ethanol if prices are adjusted. India, which already accounts for over 40% of global rice exports, is set to increase shipments significantly, potentially impacting competitors like Thailand and Vietnam.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's engineering goods exports saw a slight decline of 0.82% year-on-year in May 2025, totaling $9.89 billion, primarily due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a high statistical base from the previous year, according to EEPC India. A notable contributor to this downturn was an 85% drop in exports of aircraft and spacecraft parts, alongside a 25% decrease in shipments of ships and boats. While exports to the US, India's largest engineering market, grew by 4.6% to $1.74 billion, other key markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey faced significant declines. Additionally, aluminium exports were impacted by intensified competition in the ASEAN region, and exports to China fell by 5.1%. Despite the monthly dip, cumulative engineering exports for April-May 2025-26 rose by 4.77% to $19.40 billion, prompting calls for strategic support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and over 30 individuals on the ground, including students, has highlighted the pressing need for enhanced passenger protections and equitable airline liability standards in India. Experts, including Biji Eapen, president of the Airline Users Rights and Grievances Redressal Forum (AURGRF), are urging the government to adopt the updated compensation limits of the 1999 Montreal Convention (MC99), which will take effect in December 2024. These revisions propose significant increases in compensation for death, injury, and service failures, aiming to align domestic regulations with international standards. Currently, discrepancies exist between international and domestic compensation limits, leading to confusion and diminished consumer confidence. Eapen emphasized the importance of amending the 2019 Air Passengers Rights Rules to ensure consistent protections for all passengers, regardless of their flight's route or carrier type, marking a crucial step towards global best practices in passenger rights.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 1 pmeznews.inRetail sales in India surged by 7% in May 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to a survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI). This growth marks an increase from the 4% rise recorded in April 2025, indicating a positive shift in consumer sentiment, particularly in discretionary spending. Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, noted that after several months of moderate growth, the retail sector is gaining momentum, with an optimistic outlook for the upcoming festive season. Regionally, South India led with a 9% increase, followed by West India at 7%, and North and East India at 6% and 4%, respectively. Key contributors to this growth included Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), which saw a 10% rise, while consumer durables and apparel also performed well, each growing by 8% and 7%, respectively.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 12 pmeznews.inScandinavian airline SAS has announced it will launch five weekly flights between Copenhagen and Mumbai starting next June, as European carriers seek to capitalize on the increasing demand for trade and tourism in India. SAS President and CEO Anko van der Werff emphasized the importance of India as a global market, highlighting the new route's role in enhancing Copenhagen's status as a hub for connectivity between India, Northern Europe, and North America. This expansion aligns with similar moves by other airlines; Air France and KLM are also increasing their services to India, with KLM set to begin flights to Hyderabad in September. Additionally, Aegean Airlines is exploring new routes to India, while ITA Airways plans to add flights between Rome and Mumbai in 2026. This surge in European airline activity reflects the strengthening ties and growing travel demand between India and Europe.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Coal Ministry is set to engage an academic or research institution specializing in geology and mining to evaluate its central sector schemes (CSS), which include initiatives focused on exploration, drilling, research and development, conservation, safety, and infrastructure in coal mining. A request for proposal (RfP) has been issued, with bids due by July 7, 2025. The selected institution will assess the effectiveness of these schemes and provide recommendations for their continuation beyond the current financial year, specifically into the 16th Finance Commission period. The evaluation will include a review of the existing methodologies for geological reporting and the Jharia and Raniganj master plans, with a focus on addressing issues such as fire, subsidence, and rehabilitation. A report is expected within three months of the agreement, aimed at enhancing the Ministry's strategic framework and implementation plans.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn Odisha, the cherished tradition of groundnut cultivation is fading as farmers increasingly shift to paddy due to economic pressures and crop damage from monkeys. Once cultivated on 400,000 hectares in 1990-91, groundnut acreage plummeted to just 29,000 hectares by 2019-20, although it saw a slight increase to 44,000 hectares last year. This trend mirrors a national decline, with all-India groundnut acreage dropping from over 87 lakh hectares in 1989-90 to less than 46 lakh hectares by 2015-16. Despite groundnut's higher yield and oil content compared to other oilseeds, its financial viability has diminished against more lucrative crops like soyabean, which has surged in popularity. Experts are calling for a reevaluation of crop planning to enhance domestic edible oil production, as India currently relies heavily on imports. The situation underscores the need for government intervention to support traditional crops and ensure sustainable farming practices.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts has announced that the monsoon is expected to reach the national capital and parts of West Uttar Pradesh by Saturday evening. A low-pressure area is anticipated to form over the north-west Bay of Bengal, which will facilitate the monsoon's advance into North-West India. Satellite imagery shows monsoon clouds already covering significant regions of North-West, West, and Central India, including parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Heavy rainfall is forecasted for various regions, with East Rajasthan likely to experience very heavy downpours over the next three days, while Uttarakhand, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh are also on alert for significant rainfall. Central India, particularly Madhya Pradesh, and parts of East India, including Jharkhand and Odisha, are expected to see very heavy rainfall as the monsoon system strengthens.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a mixed day for Indian markets, the SENSEX rose by 130.90 points to close at 82,886.41, while the NIFTY gained 10.55 points, reaching 25,255.30. In commodities, gold saw an increase of 138.00, priced at 97,495.00, and silver rose by 420.00 to 106,400.00. Conversely, crude oil prices fell by 33.00, settling at 5,610.00. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for strong surface winds, reaching speeds of 40-60 km/h, across Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana over the next four days. Fresh thunderstorms have developed off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, with heavy rainfall expected in various regions, including Konkan, Goa, and parts of North-West India, as a low-pressure area forms over the north-west Bay of Bengal. The IMD forecasts isolated heavy rainfall in several states, including Punjab and Uttarakhand, in the coming days.
Published: Jun 26 2025, 9 am
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